Virginia Rep. Abigail Spanberger is running for governor instead of seeking reelection to the House

United States Representative Abigail Spanberger has declared her candidacy for the governorship of Virginia in 2025, opting not to seek another term in the U.S. House of Representatives. In her campaign announcement video titled “What Matters Most,” Spanberger, who has served three terms as a Democrat, stressed her focus on reducing prescription drug costs, expanding the middle class, and addressing inflation. She emphasized the need to recruit and retain quality educators and her commitment to defending women’s reproductive rights against extremist threats.

Spanberger, representing the pivotal 7th Congressional District of Virginia, highlighted the growing political divide in Richmond, criticizing some politicians’ focus on abortion and book bans over addressing citizens’ needs. Her departure from the House race sets the stage for a closely contested Democratic primary in her district, with several Republicans also vying for the position.

Before her political career, Spanberger served as a CIA officer and a law enforcement officer with the U.S. Postal Service. She first won her congressional seat in a district long dominated by Republicans, breaking a nearly 50-year streak.

Virginia’s prohibition against consecutive gubernatorial terms has sparked speculation about the political future of the current Republican Governor, Glenn Youngkin. This has also triggered early maneuvering for the governor’s office among potential candidates.

Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney, a Democrat, is expected to soon announce his gubernatorial campaign plans. On the Republican side, Attorney General Jason Miyares and Lieutenant Governor Winsome Earle-Sears are viewed as probable candidates, though neither has officially declared their intention to run. Both have expressed their current focus on this year’s legislative races.

Republican state Senator Amanda Chase, having lost a primary in June and a previous bid for the gubernatorial nomination in 2021, is considering another run for governor or lieutenant governor, with the latter appearing more likely.

Former Virginia House Speaker Eileen Filler-Corn recently announced she would not enter the 2025 gubernatorial race. Instead, she plans to run for the northern Virginia congressional seat vacated by Democrat U.S. Rep. Jennifer Wexton in the upcoming year.

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More about Virginia Gubernatorial Race 2025

• Abigail Spanberger’s Career and Background
• Virginia’s 7th Congressional District
• Virginia Gubernatorial Election Rules
• Potential Candidates for Virginia Governor 2025
• Virginia Political Landscape and Recent Developments